For some people sports are just something they watch or occasionally play, but for twelve year-old Juliana Hunter, sports are her life and passion. Juliana has been playing three different sports, since she was about three. Her parents got her involved with sports as soon as they could, “Juliana is our sports girl, she always had a ball in her hand,” said, her mom, Stacy. Her parents then got her involved with her first sport softball, and from there on out there was no stopping Juliana and what sports she wanted to play. They then got her started in volleyball and basketball.
Juliana is now twelve and is still involved with all three sports. Not only does she play all three sports for her school, Mt. Pleasant Oilers, but she also plays travel basketball and softball. She finds herself always on the move. She spends three out of the seven days practicing, for her in season sport, basketball, two days playing games and one day practicing for her travel softball team; six out of the seven days Juliana works hard to make herself a better player.
Juliana not only works hard on the court, but she works even harder off the court. For Juliana, even though sports are her life, she knows how important her education is. Everyday when she gets home from practice or a game she immediately starts her homework. “It’s not hard for me to balance everything, because I know school comes first, sports, and then friends,” said Juliana. Juliana is a straight A student because of her hard work and dedication.
Studying is not her only responsibility after sports; Juliana also has to help out with the chores and help take care of her little sister while her parents are at work. Juliana jungles more than an average twelve year old and always has a smile on her face.
Juliana Hunter, and her teammates laugh on the bench, during their away game in Midland Mich., Monday, Oct. 4.
Juliana Hunter, ball handler, tries to make a jump shot, during the Saginaw vs Mt. Pleasant Oilers, in Mt. Pleasant Mich., Monday, Oct. 8.
Juliana Hunter, smiles at her coach during the home game, Saginaw vs Mt. Pleasant, in Mt. Pleasant Mich. Monday, Oct. 8.
Juliana Hunter and her teammates gather for a time out, to discuss strategies during their home game, with less than a minute to go and both teams are tied, Mt. Pleasant Oilers, against Saginaw, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Monday, Oct. 8.
Juliana Hunter, middle, talks with her Grandpa Hunter, left, and her dad, Jerry Hunter, right, about the bad calls the referees made during her game the day before, after eating dinner in their Mt. Pleasant home, Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Juliana Hunter, left, helps her little sister Ally, right, get dressed after her bath, and one of Juliana’s responsibilities when her parents are at work, in their Mt. Pleasant home, Tuesday, Oct.9.
Juliana Hunter, right and her friend, Madison Wallace, walk together through the rain, during the Mt. Pleasant High school football game, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Friday, Oct. 5.